Boater&#39;s keychain

ABSTRACT

The boater&#39;s keychain includes a keychain, and a plurality of planar information cards connected to the keychain. Each of the planar information cards has two opposing sides imprinted with information, and each of the planar information cards is preferably formed of a buoyant sheet material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to keychains, and more particularly relates to a boater's keychain having one or more informational cards with information useful to boaters.

2. General Background and State of the Art

A multitude of laws, rules, regulations and practices govern the operation and movement of boats, applying equally to recreational boaters and commercial operators. Operators vessels are charged with obeying all of these rules, but the average boater receives little, if any, training in the operation of a boat, or the rules governing vessel movements. Most states have no requirements for boat licensing, boat operator testing, or training, and the vast majority of the boating public is unaware of even the most basic boating practices, such as who has the right of way. Although information is available to boaters in books and pamphlets printed by state agencies, such sources often provide conflicting, confusing and sometimes incomprehensible information, and consequently accidents that involve a lack of boating knowledge are commonplace.

It would therefore be desirable to provide fundamental information concerning boating rules and other important information in a simple, understandable, and readily available format. It would also be desirable to provide such information on a boater's keychain so that such information could be readily available to a user of the boater's keychain. The present invention meets these and other needs.

INVENTION SUMMARY

The present invention accordingly provides for a boater's keychain including a keychain, and one or more planar information cards connected to the keychain. In a presently preferred aspect, each of the planar information cards has two opposing sides imprinted with information. In another presently preferred aspect, each of the planar information cards is formed of a waterproof, buoyant sheet material. In another aspect, a plurality of information cards are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the keychain may be a closeable metal keychain threaded through grommets in the information cards, with information imprinted on both sides of each information card, although other types of keychains or key rings which may be threaded through holes in the information cards to link them together may also be suitable.

In a presently preferred embodiment, each of the information cards are constructed from a neoprene sheet material that is buoyant in water. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the information cards may be formed of a less expensive neoprene blend, with white nylon cloth bonded to each side for printability. The information cards are typically the size of a common index card, and are imprinted with graphics and text that provide important information to boat operators.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a boater's keychain according to the present invention, showing a single information card.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a boater's keychain according to the present invention, showing a plurality of information cards.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the boater's keychain of FIG. 2, showing the information cards stacked together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides for a boater's keychain 10 that includes a keychain 12, and one or more planar information pages or cards 14 connected to the keychain. Each of the planar information cards is imprinted on at least one side with information 16, and in a presently preferred aspect, each of the planar information cards is formed of a waterproof, buoyant sheet material, such as 1/16th inch thick neoprene sheet material, such as a closed cell neoprene foam sheeting that is buoyant in water, although the information cards may also be formed of a similar waterproof, buoyant material, such as a less expensive 30% neoprene blend, with white nylon cloth bonded to each side for printability. A grommet 18 is preferably placed through a corner of each of the information cards to allow the information cards to be linked to the keychain. The information cards are imprinted on at least one side 20 a with information that may include graphics and text to provide important information to boat operators.

As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each boater's keychain typically includes a plurality of information cards, such as five neoprene information cards, for example. Placing a ⅛th inch grommet 18 through a portion of each of the information cards, such as at a corner, for example, allows the information cards to be secured together by the keychain, and will allow the information cards to fan out for easier reading. The keychain is preferably a beaded metal closeable keychain, typically approximately 4½ inches in length, that runs through the grommet and then closes to form a loop. Other types of keychains or key rings which may be threaded through holes in the information cards to link them together may also be suitable.

Imprinting the information on the sheets can be accomplished by readily available silk screening methods, for example, or other printing methods well known in the art. The information cards are typically about 3 inches wide and about 5 inches long, the size of a common index card, and are imprinted on both sides 20 a and 20 b with graphics and text that provide important information to boat operators. The printed and cut neoprene information cards, once stacked in order, may be grommeted in place either manually or by machine.

While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. 

1. A boater's keychain, comprising: a keychain; and at least one planar information card connected to said keychain, said at least one planar information card having at least one side imprinted with information, wherein said at least one planar information card includes a grommet through a portion of said at least one planar information card, and said keychain is threaded through said grommet.
 2. The boater's keychain of claim 1, wherein said at least one planar information card is formed of a waterproof, buoyant sheet material.
 3. The boater's keychain of claim 1, wherein said keychain comprises a closeable metal keychain.
 4. The boater's keychain of claim 1, wherein said at least one planar information card is formed of a closed cell foam plastic sheet material.
 5. The boater's keychain of claim 1, wherein said at least one information card comprises a plurality of planar information cards.
 6. The boater's keychain of claim 5, wherein each of said planar information cards has two opposing sides imprinted with information.
 7. The boater's keychain of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of planar information cards includes a grommet through a portion of said planar information cards, and said keychain comprises a closeable metal keychain threaded through said grommets to link said keychain and said plurality of planar information cards together.
 8. A boater's keychain, comprising: a keychain; and a plurality of planar information cards connected to said keychain, said plurality of planar information cards having at least one side imprinted with information, wherein each of said plurality of planar information cards includes a grommet through a portion of said plurality of planar information cards, and said keychain is threaded through said grommets to link said keychain and said plurality of planar information cards together.
 9. The boater's keychain of claim 8, wherein said plurality of planar information cards are formed of a waterproof, buoyant sheet material.
 10. The boater's keychain of claim 8, wherein said keychain comprises a closeable metal keychain.
 11. The boater's keychain of claim 8, wherein said plurality of planar information cards are formed of a closed cell foam neoprene sheet material.
 12. The boater's keychain of claim 8, wherein each of said planar information cards has two opposing sides imprinted with information. 